Religion News: NFL player seeks to grow Christian apparel company

Weekly Religion News with items on Mark Clayton, St. Louis Rams wide receiver, and his Christian apparel company, “Getting to Heaven: Departing Instructions for Your Life Now” by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey and more.

While most sports fans recognize Mark Clayton as a wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams, another community recognizes Clayton as founder and CEO of MyChristianT.com, a hip apparel brand with Christian messages.

During this NFL lockout, Clayton is busy furthering the brand he founded in 2010, with the goal of finding a place where faith meets fashion, both in trendy apparel and online social networking.

"Spreading the word of Christ has been my mission in any season," said Clayton, "but being able to expand the brand during this lockout is gratifying. We have a lot going on."

Clayton founded the company in 2010 when he recognized that apparel for men and women with fashion-forward designs could feature well-loved Christian sayings and Scripture that would inform and inspire.

Recently, the company launched MCT, an online network where users can share their stories, investigate their faith, and participate in interactive online contests and spiritual discussions.

Clayton's perseverance and faith played a large role in his career and in his life. His focus has always been on a higher purpose: his relationship with God. A majority of the proceeds from MyChristianT.com will fund the MCT network and other spiritual, creative and educational opportunities for today's youth and young adults. Additionally, funds will help support programs that help under-privileged families, foster children, the homeless and abused women and children.

-- ReligionNews.com

Week in Religion

- May 24, 1738, English founder of Methodism John Wesley underwent his famous religious conversion at Aldersgate Chapel in London.

- May 25, 1824, the American Sunday School Union was established in Philadelphia.

- May 26, 1957, the religious program "The Fourth R" aired for the last time on NBC. Produced by several different religious organizations, this short-lived series aired on Sunday mornings.

-- William D. Blake, Almanac of the Christian Church

Survey Says

In Pakistan, 47 percent of Muslims “sympathize” with Islamic fundamentalists, 15 percent sympathize with those who disagree with Islamic fundamentalists and 25 percent “don’t know.”

-- Pew Research Center

Good Book?

“Getting to Heaven: Departing Instructions for Your Life Now” by Don Piper and Cecil Murphey

Don Piper, author of “Heaven is Real” (2004), draws on his own firsthand experiences with the joys of heaven, as well as the lessons found in the Gospel, to offer a set of "departing instructions," helping readers face the inevitable battles ahead, prepare for eternal life and live a happy, fulfilling, purposeful life on Earth while preparing for the glories of heaven.

-- Penguin Group (USA)

Quote of the week

“When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion.” – President Abraham Lincoln

The Word

Mantra: A syllable, word or phrase with spiritual power. It is chanted or held in the mind in connection with meditation or ritual. Mantras are commonly used by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains and are traditionally drawn from Sanskrit scriptures, such as the Vedas.